California Cannabis Awards crown medalists as home grow and low-dose products take center stage
The California Cannabis Awards (CCAs) announced its 2026 medalists this week, introducing the first state-sanctioned home grow competition while highlighting evolving consumer demand through this year’s winning products. The new category marks the first time a state entity has recognized personal-use cannabis cultivators alongside licensed businesses in a state-backed competition.
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The competition debuted in partnership with the California State Fair in 2022 as the nation’s first state-sanctioned cannabis competition. It expanded in 2024 with on-site cannabis sales and consumption at the fair, another first.
As the contest celebrates its fifth anniversary, it continues to break new ground and widen its focus to reflect a shifting market.
Home Grow makes history
While the licensed side of the California Cannabis Awards showcases the industry’s evolution, the new home grow competition spotlights the craft community.
Home cultivation of up to six plants is legal in California for people 21 and up; medical marijuana patients may be able to grow more.
Including a home grow category continues the competition’s tradition of pushing new ground for cannabis recognition and normalization, as it’s the first time a state-sanctioned competition has recognized personal-use cultivation.
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James Leitz, founder of FairPlay Ventures and producer of the CCAs, told GreenState that adding home grow was the natural next step for the contest.
“We’re incredibly proud to put hobbyist cannabis growers on the same stage as the people winning Best of California for their tomatoes, bread, and homebrew beer,” Leitz said. “That’s what the CA State Fair is all about: celebrating people who are passionate about growing and creating.”
Lacee Horner is a personal-use cultivator from Lake County, Calif., who won several medals in the home grow contest. She said in a press release that the competition is a full-circle moment for the cannabis industry.
“It’s really exciting being part of history—I feel like this competition is bringing things back to the roots of this community,” Horner said.
Consumer shifts reflected in competition results
The CCAs recognize licensed growers, manufacturers, and producers from across the state’s market. What began with flower soon expanded to include finished goods like pre-rolls and edibles. The contest often mirrors consumer shifts, as evidenced by the growth of the competition’s vape category.
This year’s winners reflected growing interest in minor cannabinoids and other functional ingredients. Several award-winning entries contain formulations designed to appeal to a broader range of consumers. This includes the Vibrant Focus Mini Gems gummies from Space Gem, which include lion’s mane mushroom, and a THC:CBN tincture from Beard Bros Pharms.
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Chef Chris Cosentino, a restaurateur and winner of Top Chef Masters, collaborated with Sonoma Hills Farm on its Spicy Arugula gummy, which won a gold medal. The gummy contains CBD and CBG along with THC. Cosentino told GreenState the win was extremely validating for those who recognize a real demand for low-dose cannabis products.
“After being told many times that no one wants low-dose products, this award shows me that trusting our guts and believing in what we were creating was the right thing to do,” Cosentino said.
Golden Bears ahead
The “Best in California” Golden Bears (the competition’s highest honor) for the nine licensed categories in the CCAs will be awarded during a live show on Saturday, July 18, at the California State Fair in Sacramento. The program will be hosted by GreenState editor Rachelle Gordon and will be live-streamed on YouTube.
Saturday, July 25, is home grow day, where the Golden Bear for the home grow competition will be awarded. The California Cannabis Awards rounds out its contest roster on August 1, with the announcement of the Consumers Choice winners. All events take place inside the California Cannabis Experience, a 50,000-square-foot cannabis attraction at the Fair, which runs July 17 – August 2.
